Darian Vaziri here, the host of the daily Locked On Clippers podcast, with your daily Locked On Clippers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Clippers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
What Made Kawhi Leonard’s Intuit Dome Debut Special
Jan 4, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio/Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The Intuit Dome was electric on Saturday night as Kawhi Leonard made his long-awaited return to the Los Angeles Clippers lineup. The atmosphere was palpable, with fans buzzing with excitement to see their superstar back on the court. Leonard’s presence was immediately felt, both on and off the hardwood.
Wearing red for the first time in a Clippers uniform, Leonard’s introduction was met with a thunderous ovation. The crowd’s energy was infectious, and it seemed to fuel the team’s performance. The Clippers dominated the Atlanta Hawks, securing a convincing 131-105 victory.
Leonard’s stat line may not jump off the page - 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist in 19 minutes - but his impact went far beyond the numbers. His mere presence on the court opened up opportunities for his teammates and posed a significant challenge for the opposing defense.
Defensive Dominance and Offensive Firepower
The Clippers’ defensive prowess was on full display, with the team currently ranking fourth in defensive rating league-wide. Adding Leonard to an already formidable defensive unit only strengthens their ability to shut down opponents.
Offensively, the Clippers showcased their versatility and depth. James Harden orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 15 assists while scoring 10 points. Ivica Zubac dominated the paint with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Norman Powell continued his stellar play with 20 points.
The X-Factor: Derrick Jones Jr.
One of the standout performers of the night was Derrick Jones Jr., who electrified the crowd with his high-flying dunks and energetic play. His athleticism and ability to finish at the rim provide a dynamic element to the Clippers’ offense, especially when teams attempt to double-team Harden or Leonard.
With Leonard back in the fold, the Clippers now boast a formidable “Big Four” of Leonard, Harden, Powell, and Zubac. This combination of star power, depth, and defensive prowess has thrust the team back into the championship conversation.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Kawhi Leonard’s return and its impact on the Clippers’ title aspirations, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:
• Terance Mann’s impressive return to action
• Kevin Porter Jr.'s recent strong performances
• The upcoming matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Casting a cursory eye up and down the standings this weekend, I noticed some appearances that made me take a second look. This went for teams for climbing and sliding. So, I’m introducing a potentially recurring feature called “Monday movers”, highlighting teams jostling and jockeying in the standings, likely bound to get more contentious as the season goes on.
San Antonio Spurs
What a thrill it must be for long-suffering Spurs fans to take a glance at the West’s top 10 and see their team there, after so many seasons spent hanging around the bottom of the conference. What a thrill it was for me, too!
It’s not all because of Victor Wembanyama, but the phenom did hit two milestones this weekend: he played his 100th NBA game and he turned 21. His in-game numbers are similarly worth celebrating.
He’s the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21, and the 7th player in the last 45 years to score over 2,200 points (he’s scored 2,278) through his first 100 games. Other than Bill Walton and Brad Daugherty, Wembanyama’s the only other 7-foot center with 385+ assists before turning 21, though their first 100 games. He’s also put up more threes than Steph Curry did, with 225 to Curry’s 200 through their first 100 games.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Kawhi Leonard’s statement following his return from injury has gained significant attention, highlighting his determination to contribute to the Clippers’ success. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans Excitement surged among NBA fans upon hearing the news about Blake Griffin’s latest developments, showcasing the enduring popularity of the former Clippers star. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Clippers will face off against the Timberwolves at the Target Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Trades The Jimmy Butler vs. Heat saga escalated quickly: Here’s what we know. (ESPN)
Biz Amazon adds Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki to its inaugural studio coverage for the 2025-2026 season. (The Athletic)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Clippers podcasts.
What Hurts The Most When We Play OKC Can the Los Angeles Clippers overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 12-game winning streak? Host Darian Vaziri offers insights into the Clippers-Thunder trade, reflecting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise and the implications for both teams. The discussion also covers Kawhi Leonard’s anticipated return and how it could reshape the Clippers’ game plan.
How The LA Clippers Fell Apart After A Great First Half With James Harden sidelined due to a groin injury, the Clippers struggled, highlighting the importance of his presence on the court. This episode hosted by die hard Clippers fan and Host Darian Vaziri, breaks down the Clippers’ performance, focusing on key players like Kevin Porter Jr. and Mo Bamba, who stepped up despite the defeat.
How The LA Clippers Got Embarrassed To End 2024 Can the Los Angeles Clippers bounce back after their crushing 122-86 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs? With star players like James Harden and Norman Powell under scrutiny, the Clippers’ performance raises questions about their readiness for the 2025 portion of the season.
